Pages

Thursday, May 2, 2013

On the Migratory Route

Spring
is my favourtie time of year (often making me feel bubbly and silly inside) and
although I can’t decide what my favourite spring thing is, one of them has to
be the moving and arrival of the migrating birds.

Migrating birds at sunset

One of
the most spectacular sights to see as they often move in great numbers is the
migration of Storks, Cranes and Geese that fly overhead in early spring. Having
spent their winter in Spain they are making their way back to Scandinavia and
the Baltic for the summer. As they are calling/'clapping' to each other all the way I
often hear them before seeing them. I have also been known to dart off the main road and head down a track to get a better glimpse, such is my excitement at witnessing this spectacle. I will admit I am not an expert on their
habits, so not sure why, but some seem to enjoy the Charente-Maritime summer so
much they nest in the marshland around Brouage. Whatever the reason, I
certainly enjoyed watching them when I cycled around the marshes last year.

Summer residents, Brouage marshes

As winter is
beginning to turn I often see the Northern Lapwings, part of the plover
family, while out walking the dog. They enjoy moist habitats, so the open
fields surrounding the village that are prone to flooding provide a perfect winter
location. Prior to heading back to Scandinavia and Russia they congregate in
large groups and can be very noisy, but are quite a sight en masse.

Lapwings

Possibly
the most exotic looking visitor is the Hoopoe who is found year round in Africa
but some migrate north to breed in the summer. They like dry habitats
especially orchards, vineyards and olive groves and are also quite happy in
gardens. Feasting on insects, but also small mammals and reptiles, their long
probing beaks are ideal for ground foraging. Nesting is often low to the ground
and in holes in walls, so the old stone walls of the barns around here,
combined with the orchards and vineyards make it a popular breeding area for
them. I will admit they are a beautiful sight to see, but as they are very shy it
is more common to hear them rather than see them and I’m quite happy with that.
To sit in a quiet spot in the garden and listen to the rhythmic call of the
hoopoe is almost hypnotic.

Hoopoe in the garden

Feeding time

My
favourite summer visitors are the Swallows, with the first one usually arriving
from Africa in mid March. Their arrival is so important I note the first
sighting in the calendar every year. They spend their summers here, nest
building in the barn, breeding and teaching the youngsters to swoop and fly –
often dive bombing the cat and dog as they walk across the courtyard. Feasting
on the flies they are perfect for keeping the fly population down, another
reason I am glad to have them. Their happy chattering sound is lovely to hear
so it is sad when they all congregate on the telephone and power lines in September getting ready to depart for a warmer winter (not that I can blame them). However, I am pleased to announce that I have seen and heard all of these visitors this spring, so all is well with my world. Living in the middle of nowhere may not be for everyone, but when I get to see and hear sights like these I am very happy.

Find me on Goodreads

French Village Diaries is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk